Edward Elgar

Violin Concerto in B minor Op. 61

One of his longer works and the last to see immediate popularity, Edward Elgar's (1857-1934) Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61 has always found its way on concert programs, even when Elgar's works fell out of fashion for much of the 20th century. The work was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1909 after the violinist Fritz Kreisler praised Elgar as "the greatest living composer... I wish Elgar would write something for the violin." The concerto was a personal favorite of Elgar's, and he conducted the premiere at the Royal Philharmonic Society concert on November 10th, 1910, with Fritz Kreisler playing the solo, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra.

This piano reduction was created by Elgar and was actually performed before the premiere at a private party, with W. H. "Billy" Reed of the London Symphony Orchestra playing the solo (and Elgar at the piano), as Reed had helped in offering violin technical advice during the composition.